100 points
"- June 2000 - As I indicated in the review of the 1982 Bordeaux, this is an unusual Latour in the fact that it has always been precocious. It has been jammy, forward, and delicious no matter when the cork was pulled, in total contrast to its two first-growth siblings, Mouton Rothschild and Lafite-Rothschild. The dense, opaque garnet-colored 1982 Latour reveals slight amber at the edge. Sweet, smoky, roasted aromas in the nose combine with jammy levels of black currant, cherry, and prune-like fruit. It possesses extraordinary concentration and unctuosity, with a thick, fat texture oozing notes of cedar wood, tobacco, coffee, and over-ripe fruit. Low acidity as well as high alcohol (for Bordeaux) give the wine even more glycerin and textural chewiness. The finish lasts forever. The only Latour that remotely resembles the 1982 is the 1961, which has a similar texture and succulence.
- Dec 95 - Guess which of the 1982 so-called "Bordeaux Big 8" (the five first-growths plus Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Petrus) tastes the most profound in 1995? For the last three or four years, the 1982 Latour has begun to look like a clone of the magnificently opulent, powerful 1961. The 1982 continues to surge in quality, moving from strength to strength. If I were going to pull the cork for pure pleasure on any of the Big 8, it would be this wine. Still an infant in terms of development, the wine displays extraordinary richness, ripeness, and the beginning of that compelling Latour perfume of cassis, cedar, walnuts, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, concentrated, and thick, this viscous, chewy, large-scaled wine is also amazingly soft. Huge levels of tannin are concealed behind the layers of fruit. More and more I am convinced that this is another unqualified legend of the vintage. Today, it out-performs even the likes of Cheval Blanc for pure hedonistic appeal. There is a possibility that this wine could begin to close up, but it shows no signs of doing so, even though the color is reminiscent of an 18 month old barrel sample. If readers only have one or two bottles stashed away, I suggest waiting until 2002-2003 before doing the deed. Save the other until about 2020. This could be a 50-60 year wine . A tour de force! Tasted 19 times since bottling with consistent notes."
Best 2000-2040